Laird named A.I.I. player of the week

Rachel Laird, UHV centerfielder, has been named A.I.I. Female Athlete of the Week for April 14-20.

UHV centerfielder Rachel Laird has been recognized as the Association of Independent Institutions Conference Female Athlete of the Week.

Laird, a junior, is the third UHV softball player chosen as an A.I.I. player of the week this season so far. The Jaguars are 26-11 so far this season and ranked No. 19 in N.A.I.A.

Laird, of La Marque, extended her hitting streak to 34 games straight in UHV's sweep of Our Lady of the Lake University on Thursday, according to a release.

In the past week, she compiled a .571 batting average and went 8 for 14 in the games against Prarie View and OLLU. Laird scored seven runs, hit a double and stole four bases.

The leadoff batter for the Jaguars leads the team with a .545 batting average, 66 hits, 48 runs, 36 stolen bases and a .618 on-base percentage. She also has a .570 slugging percentage, nine RBIs and three doubles on the season, the release said.